I am pleased to think that this was a misapprehension on their part." [115] From this series of communications it appears that it took three weeks, and a very direct threat to seize transportation, to bring about Aguinaldo's promise of assistance in securing it.

What help had he given, meanwhile, in other matters?
On July 14, 1899, General Anderson wrote asking him to assist American officers in making reconnaissance of the approaches to Manila, and to favor them with his advice.

[116] On July 19, 1899, he again wrote Aguinaldo asking him to allow Major J.F.Bell, [117] who was gathering information for General Merritt, to see maps, and further requesting him to place at Bell's disposal any available information about the force of the enemy and the topography of the country.

[118] On July 21 he wrote again asking for passes for a Lieutenant E.I.Bryan and party, who were making a reconnaissance.

[119] Such records as I have been able to find do not show what response, if any, Aguinaldo made to these several requests, but General Anderson's original views as to the willingness of the Insurgents to cooeperate with him underwent an early change, for on July 18, 1898, in a letter to the Adjutant-General of the United States Army he makes the following statement:-- "The Insurgent chief, Aguinaldo, has declared himself Dictator and self-appointed President.